This article is part of our FanDuel NBA series.
We'll kick off the week with an eight-game slate offering from FanDuel. Using RotoWire's trusted NBA projections, our article highlights numerous injury spots that can offer substantial discounts via their backups. In fact, most of our best endorsements will come from the NBA injury report today, so it's essential to pay special attention to my suggestions in the section below.
Try our FanDuel NBA Lineup Optimizer to discover more expert recommendations, customize the player pool, set exposure percentage and mass-enter DFS lineups.
NBA Games Today
The UTA/POR matchup has the highest total of the night, and we presented a few solid options for the game. Our last popular matchup is the GSW/LAC game, and although there's quality to be found there, their costs don't line up well against more favorable salaries at each position. We're also surprisingly light on Boston, but the usual elite options there are still in play against the Bulls.
For the latest spreads and over-unders, visit RotoWire's NBA Odds page. There, you can also find player props, futures, picks articles and sportsbook bonus codes.
NBA Injuries Today
For all the latest updates, visit RotoWire's NBA Injury News page and our comprehensive NBA Injury Report. Below are some of the most recent and relevant injuries for Monday. Keep in mind that this is not a complete list. Use your best judgment when evaluating ongoing injury scenarios elsewhere on the slate.
DET Jalen Duren (ankle) - OUT
DET Tobias Harris (hip) - OUT
Isaiah Stewart ($6,100) will replace Duren in the starting lineup, and Ronald Holland ($3,900) will serve as the direct pivot for Harris.
CHI Josh Giddey (hamstring) - OUT
CHI Jalen Smith (concussion) - OUT
CHI Coby White (calf) - QUESTIONABLE
The Bulls may get White back tonight, but they'll depend heavily on Matas Buzelis ($6,400) to get things done with Smith out, and Tre Jones ($6,500) will continue to play a key role with the first unit.
ATL Trae Young (quad) - OUT
Nickeil Alexander-Walker ($6,900) will remain with the first unit, and Dyson Daniels ($7,900) warrants consideration as well.
HOU Alperen Sengun (ankle) - OUT
Steven Adams ($4,100) will start for Vucevic during his absence.
CHR Kon Knueppel (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
CHR Moussa Diabate (wrist) - QUESTIONABLE
If Diabate can't continue to fill in at center, the team may be forced to dig deep and go with PJ Hall ($4,500) once again. Knueppel may opt to play through the injury, but we'd see more from Collin Sexton ($5,500) if he misses.
DEN Nikola Jokic (knee) - OUT
DEN Jonas Valanciunas (calf) - OUT
DEN Cameron Johnson (knee) - OUT
The Nuggets are now further depleted at center, and a lot of responsibility will fall to Aaron Gordon ($5,900). The team is thrilled to have Christian Braun ($4,500) back, and his low salary will be heavily used as a budget pivot tonight.
UTA Ace Bailey (hip) - QUESTIONABLE
UTA Jusuf Nurkic (toe) - QUESTIONABLE
You're better off with pivots to Utah's better starters in this scenario.
Elite NBA DFS Picks
We have six players above $10k for Monday's slate, and Kawhi Leonard ($10,500) is now part of the group. It's no surprise considering his recent prolific run of production, but the salary has gotten a bit too high to consider. I think Cade Cunningham ($10,800) has the best chance to meet value against the Knicks, followed closely by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ($10,800) against Charlotte.
At the $9k tier, Joel Embiid ($9,000) is a must-add against Denver's depleted frontcourt if he plays, and I think Karl-Anthony Towns ($9,200) is also in an exploitable spot against the Pistons, who will be without Duren and Harris. I'll be bullish on most of the Knicks' starters.
I'm not particularly impressed with the player allocation in the $8k range, but there's merit in taking Stephen Curry ($8,600) against the Clippers. Brandon Ingram ($8,100) is also worth considering at this salary point.
Also consider: Amen Thompson, HOU ($8,300) vs. PHX
Expected NBA DFS Chalk & Mid-Range Targets
Injury mentions like Gordon, Braun, Jones and Buzelis are all players that you should consider in this general range. I also encourage you to look beyond Towns and roster multiple Knicks at will.
Nikola Vucevic, CHI ($7,400) @ BOS
Although the previously mentioned Chicago pivots are great, Vucevic's salary is tough to beat in the current scenario. Outside of Giddey, Vucevic is traditionally the Bulls' best option for production, and although Boston presents a tough matchup on the road, he's arguably better than what Boston is currently offering in the frontcourt.
VJ Edgecombe, PHI ($7,200) vs. DEN
Take one look at Edgecombe's recent numbers, and you'll be impressed like me. Even at the slightly heightened salary, Edgecombe keeps coming up with excellent results that can sometimes eclipse Tyrese Maxey. Denver has gotten some wing talent back, but the Nuggets will definitely not be at their best given the frontcourt absences. I predict another considerable number for Edgecombe, who joins Knueppel as one of the options giving Cooper Flagg a run for his money in the ROY race.
Shaedon Sharpe, POR ($7,100) vs. UTA
I thought about Deni Avdija as an option against Jusuf Nurkic's potential absence, but I think a more versatile and cheaper option to use is Sharpe, who can also have an impact on the baseline. Avdija is too expensive right now, leaving Sharpe as the most affordable producer for the Trail Blazers in a home game they can win. I also think Donovan Clingan ($6,500) is a good option if Nurkic is a scratch.
RJ Barrett, TOR ($6,200) vs. ATL
We've already recommended Ingram, but I'm a fan of Barrett at this salary. He's still working his way back to 100 percent, but he has the ability to pop for upside on any given night, and he's conveniently placed below FanDuel's median price.
NBA DFS Value Picks
Tari Eason, HOU ($5,900) vs. PHX
Eason has responded well to Alperen Sengun's absence, and I'll rate him a bit higher than Jabari Smith ($6,100) as a beneficiary. I have no problem with Smith, but he's priced a little higher and will probably yield a bit more rostership than Eason, who may fly under the radar.
Quentin Grimes, PHI ($5,800) vs. DEN
The frontcourt situation is dismal for the Nuggets right now, and while the bright spots will probably emanate from the backcourt, Grimes is a budget way to get involved with Philly's bench advantage at the position. Although his numbers can jump around a bit, he should get his share of opportunities in this spot.
Javonte Green, DET ($3,900) vs. NYK
Green SHOULD be the primary recipient of Harris' lost value, but the Pistons haven't fully embraced that notion yet. Tonight could be the night where Green gets going, however. It's a dart throw to be sure, but he's a money-saving alternative if you're trying to stay under the salary cap.
